BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healy has joined a group of 20 attorneys general calling on Facebook to take action to stop the spread of hate and disinformation on its platform.
Healey's office said the coalition sent a letter on Wednesday voicing their concerns to Facebook Chief Executive Officer Mark Zuckerberg and Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg.
The letter comes after a civil rights audit of Facebook’s practices was recently released, which faulted the company for "failing to advance civil rights and refusing to enforce its own policies against dangerous organizations and individuals, including white supremacists."
“Facebook hasn’t taken needed steps to stop the spread of vitriol and hate across its platforms,” said AG Healey. “They allow misinformation to rapidly spread across the internet and empower its most vile users to harass and degrade people. The company needs to take our recommendations seriously and make significant changes.”
Recent surveys suggest that more than 40 percent of Americans have experienced some form of online harassment, and more than 75 percent of those people have reported being harassed on Facebook.
The attorney generals' letter urges Facebook to implement several reforms recommended in the audit to “strengthen its commitment to civil rights and fighting disinformation and discrimination," and it recommends steps designed to improve Facebook’s supportive services for victims.
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